On the Importance of Difference

Dear Camille and Ivy,

Last week Mrs. Nandi invited me to give a presentation about Simms High School to the girls of St. Johns. I gave that presentation today, and the enthusiastic responses of the girls afterwards reminds me of how important difference is. We crave new experiences, a chance to interact with what is "other" because we really get to know ourselves. For the girls today they had a picture of a school in a country that they think of as rich and thrilling. America is a place where dreams come true and school is about studies and having fun; playing sports, dressing up, eating in a cafeteria, and being a part of clubs that travel and really do a lot.
We in turn, take everything our school has to offer for granted. We say there's nothing to do, or it's boring, or there's not enough time. We don't really appreciate what we have until we can see what others don't. It's human nature. It's what makes us progress and work harder. I think that's why India works so hard. They see what we have, and it's become a goal to aspire to have what so many in America take for granted. Who do we aspire to be? What vision can we create for ourselves, to reach out towards? Material wealth? Not if it's at the expense of others. What about intellectual wealth? Perhaps, but that is a danger too; it can lead to all sorts of bizarre ideas about hierarchy, class, nationalism. So what? What do we want to become as a people? As a country?
Coming to India has helped me see the importance of studies, and innocence, of manners and respect, and it has taught me that everyone needs to be included in a country's destiny, not just the fortunate.
I hope you both have the opportunity to travel abroad someday, to experience the feeling of "otherness" as there is no better way to see yourself.